This is a great new survey book of one of my favorites. Yoshitoshi is the darling of modern Ukiyo-e collectors. Reviled for decades, he is now moving into the position of the top rank of Ukiyo-e artists. He studied under Kuniyoshi where he learned the skillful portrayal of warriors and historical subjects. He also gained Kuniyoshi's dramatic flair and abilities to create scenes of violent action. Most of Yoshitoshi's early work strongly resembles that of his master, depicting subjects such as the 1866 Heroes of the Suikoden (50 in the series since his publsher did not wish to illustrate all 108 heroes). Toward the beginning of the Meiji Period , Yoshitoshi suffered a nervous breakdown and his output dropped completely between 1870-1873. His work after this crisis was very different. He was no longer drawing figures in the mannered, traditional way of Japanese art, but rather exploring new avenues, largely influenced by Western art. He retained drama and energy in his work, but infused the new pictures with dynamic color and psycological depth. His subject matter in this books is intense (and creepy), including torturing and torturous oni (demons), a myriad of demonic being and the samurai attempting to subdue them, suicidal maidens and creative ghosts. His work was summarily dismissed by critics until recently when noted scholar, John Stevenson, wrote his seminal texts on Yoshitoshi. He is now considered the last of the great Ukiyo-e masters and is sought by collectors and connoisseurs. This book brilliantly pulls from all stages of his career, the illustrations are full page and full color and on every page. There is very little text and what is there, is in Japanese.

nThrough the bookstore I have had the privilege of being involved in the Japanese tattoo community for the last 15 years and have arranged for you to meet some of the top tier artists here as well as see the relevant cultural sights to further you tattoo career. Moreover, the tour aims to provide you with a more thorough understanding of Japanese culture and aesthetics. The Japanese tattoo world is often inaccessible and hard to navigate…we’ll take the footwork out of your networking. If you want to get an authentic Japanese tattoo while you are here we can arrange that as well.

The tours includes accommodations, bilingual guides, seminars, all travel expenses and entrance fees…....basically everything except your airfare and food. Each tour is $300USD per person and we required a $500 non refundable deposit to hold your spot. Feel free to book with us, then take care of your airfare now while it is still inexpensive, and pay the tour balance before arrival.

Just a note I'm going to start limiting the group number to 6 people. It's easier for me and makes the group more intimate, less "tour" ish. In order to do so I've had to raise the fees slightly from last year. Please remember that if you have a group of friends and would like to arrange a private tour catered specifically to your interests, it's easy to arrange and truly the best way to experience Japan. Message me here from more details.

The Cherry Blossom Tour will be held in Osaka/Kyoto/Nara April 3-13th, 2012.

You will need to book a flight into Kansai International Airport arriving on April 3th...which means you will need to depart on the 2nd from most countries. You are welcome to stay longer or arrive earlier but will be responsible for yourself on those extra days. We can extend your hotel reservation for you at the tour rate if you would like to stay longer.

Cherry Blossoms are held in high regard here in Japan...emblematic of life's fleeting nature they represent mortality, love...magnificent beauty and sudden death. It is a flower mean to invoke loyalty in Japanese people, esp. in the military and is regarded by all as a good omen. Sakura viewing, or hanami, is a national event. people of all walks of life gather under the trees in bloom to picnic, drink sake, karaoke and welcome spring.

Osaka is the definitive center of youth culture, the arts, and music in Japan. Being the hotbed of Japanese tattooing talent, there is a cavalcade of top tier talent, concentrated in this fun, crazy and visually stimulating city. Japanese pop culture is heavily represented here, street fashion is to the nines and the top level tattoo shops are in major abundance. This is the best place to check out Japan's stellar modern tattooing scene. We will take you around this city, to meet some of the top artists, do studio visits, (both shops and tebori artisans), go cruising on the river, and enjoy the outrageous nightlife.

Kyoto is the former imperial city of Japan. There are over 2000 Buddhist and Shinto shrines and it retains a traditional atmosphere, that is seemingly unaffected by time. Enjoy temples such as the Golden pavilion, Ginkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari (fox) Shrine. There are over ten World Heritage sites here, and the classical architecture of the buildings gives the entire city a charming, classic bygone feel. Enjoy the temples, the beautiful riverside bars, the geisha district and the best traditional food in Japan. Kyoto also has fantastic nightlife, and a great tattooing scene.

The ancient city of Nara is similarly abundant with World Heritage Sites, and monuments- rich with references, it is a dream for lovers of classic Japanese art. Nara has some of the most important Buddhist effigies, such as the majestic 15 metre "big Buddha of Nara" at Todai-ji temple. It is also the home of several hundred deer that are quick to attach themselves to anyone with snacks....

This tour is an excellent way to experience both new and old world Japan at it's most beautiful.

Tokyo Tour - Sanjamatsuri - May 15th -25th, 2012

The second Tour this Spring will be based in Tokyo and run May 15 - 25 in Tokyo. We have timed this one to coincide with the legendary Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa. The three shrine festival has long been a draw for people interested in irezumi as for years, men clad only in fundoshi, have born the Mikoshi thru the Asakusa promenade. Policy was passed a couple years ago banning visible tattoos around the Mikoshi, but the spirited festival still draws thousands of people to old town Asakusa and the event is not to be missed.

The tour includes accommodations, bilingual guides, seminars, all travel and entrance fees…....basically everything except for your airfare and food. Each tour is $3000USD per person and we required a $500 non refundable deposit to hold your spot. Feel free to book with us, then take care of your airfare now while it is still inexpensive, and pay the tour balance upon arrival. You are welcome to stay longer or arrive earlier but will be responsible for yourself on those extra days. We can extend your hotel reservation for you at the tour rate if you would like to stay longer.

During this 10 day tour of Tokyo we will visit the nearby temples and shrines, we’ve organized a tebori seminar with world renowned tattooist Horiren, so you can witness traditional hand poke tattooing up close, and ask questions. We will go to the Horiyoshi III museum as well as the Kyosai museum....one of my personal favorites, reference galore!!! We’ll take you to see the Rockabilly kids dance in Yoyogi park, visit the downtown Blade Runner-esque areas, and go see the Harajuku goth and lolita kids and hit some of the cool record and toy shops.

We will spend a day near the beach in Kamakura, home of the legendary Daibutsu, (The Big Buddha) and spend a day as well in Nikko - which is one of my favorite places in Japan. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage area, and a world Heritage site. It is rife with temples in a serene mountain location. There are a mind boggling amount of temples, each lavishly decorated with mythological animals, gods and goddesses. It is one of the most picturesque areas in Japan and tattoo reference mecca!!!

We’ve arranged budget accommodations right in the heart of the city - rife with neon and always buzzing this area is overflowing with cafes, great restaurants, bars, clubs and fantastic shopping.

We are happy to arrange tattoo appointments for you, just let us know what you want and by who and we’ll do our best to get you sorted out.

The tour will run 5/15 - 5/25 and you will need to book a flight into Narita Airport arriving on the 15th of May, which means you will most likely fly out on the 14th.

If this is your first visit to Japan we recommend this tour.....

Tokyo Tour October 8, 2011 - October 18, 2012

Again, the idea is to take a bunch of like minded, fun (please, please don’t sign on if you have no sense of humor) people to our favorite haunts and hangs. We will visit all the nearby temples and shrines, we’ve arranged a tebori seminar so you can witness traditional hand poke tattooing up close, and ask questions. We will go to the Kyosai Museum as well as Horiyoshi III's Tattoo museum. We’ll take you to see the Rockabilly kids dance in Yoyogi park, visit the downtown Blade Runner-esque areas, and go see the Harajuku goth and lolita kids and do day trips to the Daibutsu (Big Buddha) and Temples in Kamakura as well as the Nikko National Park. Way up in the mountains Nikko is home to some of the most amazing Shinto and Buddhist Shrines in Japan - rife with dragons and baku sculptures it is tattoo reference mecca!!

We’ve arranged budget accommodations right in the heart of the city - rife with neon and always buzzing this area is overflowing with cafes, great restaurants, bars, clubs and fantastic shopping. We will also arrange tattoo appointments for you, just let us know what you want and by who and we’ll do our best to get you sorted out.

You will need to book into Narita International Airport on the 8th of October, most likely departing on the 7th from your departure point.

If you have never been to Japan we recommend you start out with the Tokyo tour......

Dragon fountain in Nikko

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Tour -October 19, 2011 - October 29, 2011

Osaka is the definitive center of youth culture, the arts, and music in Japan. Being the hotbed of Japanese tattooing talent, there is a cavalcade of top tier talent, concentrated in this fun, crazy and visually stimulating city. Japanese pop culture is heavily represented here, street fashion is to the nines and the top level tattoo shops are in major abundance. This is the best place to check out Japan's stellar modern tattooing scene. We will take you around this city, to meet some of the top artists, do studio visits, (both shops and tebori artisans), go cruising on the river, and enjoy the outrageous nightlife.

Kyoto is the former imperial city of Japan. There are over 2000 Buddhist and Shinto shrines and it retains a traditional atmosphere, that is seemingly unaffected by time. Enjoy the temples such as the Golden pavilion, Ginkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari Shrine. There are over ten World Heritage sites here, and the classical architecture of the buildings gives the entire city a charming, classic bygone feel. Enjoy the temples, the beautiful riverside bars, the geisha district and the best traditional food in Japan. Kyoto also has fantastic nightlife, and a great tattooing scene.

The ancient city of Nara is similarly abundant with World Heritage Sites, and monuments- rich with references, it is a dream for lovers of classic Japanese art. Nara has some of the most important Buddhist effigies, such as the majestic 15 meter "big Buddha of Nara" at Todai-ji temple. It is also the home of several hundred deer that are quick to attach themselves to anyone with snacks....

This tour will run October 19-29,2012 and you will need to book a flight into Kansai International Airport on the 19th of October, which means you will most likely fly out on the 18th from your departure city.

The October tours are set up back to back so if you can get away from 20 days you can join us for both. Those of you planning to do both tours back to back should look into flights that arrive in Narita and depart from Kansai. The cost of the back to back is $6000 and includes the additional nights hotel 2 tours as well as the bullet train fare from Tokyo to Osaka....an amazing voyage that takes up past the majestic mount fuji. If you can get away for the 20 days do it. You'll have an unforgettable experience.

Friday, July 22, 2011

This book is a carnival of macabre imagery. Blood, guts, sinew, dangling eyeballs, displaced intestines, hags and heroes, this book dishes out punishments that only an intensly depraved mind would concoct. Includes illustrations from Yoshiiku, Yoshitoshi, Maruo and Hanawa. While the imagery within is compelling enough reason to pick this up, it also includes explanations of the pieces in both Japanese and English. So much Japanese Myth and Folklore! This book is worth it's weight, I've been in it all afternoon. I have 2 copies in stock and am hunting for more as we speak!